U.S. patent application number 13/865369 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for flying toy figurine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Spin Master Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is SPIN MASTER LTD.. Invention is credited to Timothy Michael Sullivan.
Application Number | 20140227932 13/865369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48092755 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140227932 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sullivan; Timothy Michael |
August 14, 2014 |
Flying Toy Figurine
Abstract
A flying toy figurine includes a main body having an upper body
portion, a lower body portion and a middle body portion, the middle
body portion including a waist portion and a hip portion. A center
shaft connects the upper body portion to the lower body portion,
and the waist portion and the hip portion are mounted for
independent rotation about the center shaft. A motor drives a rotor
assembly, including at least two main propeller blades, located in
the waist portion in one direction for imparting vertical
aerodynamic lift to the figurine. Rotation of the waist portion in
one direction causes the hip portion to counter-rotate in the
opposite direction. The center shaft is not connected to the waist
portion or the hip portion and therefore rotation of the upper body
portion and lower body portion remains independent of the rotation
of the waist portion and the hip portion.
Inventors: |
Sullivan; Timothy Michael;
(Clarence, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SPIN MASTER LTD. |
Toronto |
|
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
Spin Master Ltd.
Toronto
CA
|
Family ID: |
48092755 |
Appl. No.: |
13/865369 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 27/12 20130101;
A63H 3/36 20130101; A63H 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/37 |
International
Class: |
A63H 27/00 20060101
A63H027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 8, 2013 |
CA |
2804810 |
Claims
1. A flying toy figurine comprising: a) a main body, the main body
comprising an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a middle
body portion, the middle body portion comprising a waist portion
and a hip portion; b) a center shaft located on a central axis of
the main body, a first end of the center shaft being fixed to the
upper body portion and a second, opposite end of the center shaft
being fixed to the lower body portion; c) a drive motor for driving
a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly including at least two main
propeller blades for providing aerodynamic lift to the flying toy
figurine, the rotor assembly located in the waist portion; d) a
source of power for running the drive motor; e) a control system
for regulating operation of the drive motor; and f) the waist
portion and the hip portion being mounted concentrically about and
annularly spaced from the center shaft for rotation about the
center shaft, said rotation of the waist portion and the hip
portion about the center shaft being independent of rotation of the
center shaft; wherein running the drive motor to drive the rotor
assembly and waist portion in a first rotational direction imparts
aerodynamic lift causing the flying toy figurine to fly and further
causing the hip portion to rotate in a second rotational direction
opposite the first rotational direction.
2. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the drive motor is
located in the hip portion.
3. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the center shaft
extends through a center tube for rotation therein, the center tube
being fixed to the hip portion and angularly spaced from the center
shaft.
4. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the main propeller
blades are hingably connected to the rotor assembly.
5. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the rotor assembly
includes a pair of stabilizer bars extending from the waist portion
for rotation therewith.
6. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein outer tips of the
main propeller blades include protective wire loops.
7. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the hip portion
includes at least two secondary propeller blades connected to and
extending radially outward thereof.
8. The flying toy figurine of claim 7, wherein the secondary
propeller blades are hingably connected to the hip portion.
9. The flying toy figurine of claim 7, wherein the secondary
propeller blades are weighted along bottom edges thereof.
10. The flying toy figurine of claim 7, wherein secondary propeller
blades are connected to the hip portion at an angle relative to the
central axis.
11. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the control system
includes a first transmitter for transmitting flight control
signals and a first receiver for receiving the flight control
signals after the flight control signals have reflected off of a
surface, and control circuitry for controlling and maintaining the
height of the flying toy figurine above the surface by measuring
the strength of the flight control signals reflected off of the
surface and adjusting the amount of power trans ed to the motor
relative to the strength of e reflected flight control signals.
12. The flying toy figurine of claim 11, wherein the control system
includes a second receiver for receiving wireless flight control
signals and a second remote transmitter for transmitting the
wireless flight control signals, and where the control circuitry
includes means for turning the motor on and off in response to the
wireless control signals.
13. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the control system
includes a receiver for receiving wireless control signals and a
remote transmitter for transmitting the wireless control signals to
the receiver, and control circuitry for turning the motor on and
off and for controlling and maintaining the height of the flying
toy figurine above a surface in response to the wireless control
signals.
14. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the control system
includes a motor cut-off switch to cut power to the drive motor
when electric current to the drive motor increases above a
predetermined amount.
15. The flying toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the waist portion
is decoupled from the hip portion so that the waist portion and the
hip portion are independently rotatable so that running the drive
motor to drive the rotor assembly and waist portion in the first
rotational direction imparts a counter-rotational force to the hip
portion causing the hip portion to rotate in the second rotational
direction opposite the first rotational direction.
16. A flying toy figurine comprising: a) a main body, the main body
comprising an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a middle
body portion, the middle body portion comprising a waist portion
and a hip portion; b) a center shaft located on a central axis of
the main body, a first end of the center shaft being fixed to the
upper body portion and a second, opposite end of the center shaft
being fixed to the lower body portion; c) a drive motor for driving
a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly including at least two main
propeller blades for providing aerodynamic lift to the flying toy
figurine, the rotor assembly located in the waist portion; d) a
source of power for running the drive motor; e) a control system
for regulating the operation of the drive motor; and f) the waist
portion and the hip portion being mounted concentrically about and
annularly spaced from the center shaft for rotation about the
center shaft, said rotation of the waist portion and the hip
portion about the center shaft being independent of rotation of the
center shaft; wherein running the drive motor to drive the rotor
assembly and waist portion in a first rotational direction imparts
aerodynamic lift causing the flying toy figurine to fly.
17. The flying toy figurine of claim 16, wherein running the drive
motor to drive the rotor assembly and waist portion in the first
rotational direction causes the hip portion to rotate in a second
rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.
18. The flying toy figurine of claim 17, wherein the waist portion
is decoupled from the hip portion so that the waist portion and the
hip portion are independently rotatable so that running the drive
motor to drive the rotor assembly and waist portion in the first
rotational direction imparts a counter-rotational force to the hip
portion causing the hip portion to rotate in the second rotational
direction opposite the first rotational direction.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to toy figurines and in particular to
toy figurines that include rotating propeller systems that impart
vertical aerodynamic lift to the figurine, and control systems for
automatically controlling the height of the figurine above a
surface or other objects. It also relates to flying toy figurines
where the body of the figurine is not fixed to the propeller system
and therefore does not rotate, or rotates more slowly than the
propellers to thereby provide a further sense of enjoyment and
amazement to the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,086 to Gentile at al., and U.S. Pat. No.
8,282,437 to Norman at al., describe launchable toy figurines.
Gentile at al. describes a launchable figurine that includes a set
of wings capable of providing aerodynamic lift upon rotation of the
figurine. The wings are hinged to the body of the figurine so that
they are free to move to an outstretched position to provide lift
as rotation is imparted to the figurine. Gentile at al. does not
disclose that the wings are attached to and form part of the skirt
of the figurine, or that the figurine does not rotate or rotates at
a speed that is slower than the rotating propellers.
[0003] Norman at al., discloses a launchable doll having wings
fixed to the body of the doll between a torso portion and waist
portion to provide aerodynamic lift to the doll when the doll
rotates. The wings may be hinged to allow the doll to "sit", and to
provide a "skirt" for the doll. However, Norman does not describe
that the doll does not rotate or rotates at a speed that is much
slower than the rotating propellers, or that the propellers may be
weighted at their bottom edges. In fact, the propellers of Norman
are fixed to the doll and the doll and the propellers rotate at the
same rate of speed.
[0004] U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2004/0200924 to Clark
at al. describes a vertical take off and landing aircraft that has
a fuselage with a plurality of fins fixed thereto, and a rotor
assembly driven by an electric motor located atop the fuselage with
rotating blades to provide lift. When the rotor assembly rotates,
the toy ascends and the fuselage counter-rotates. Rotation of the
fuselage is slowed by the fixed fins attached thereto. While Clark
at al. teaches a main body that rotates at a lower rate than the
rotating lifting blades, Clark at al. does not teach a main body
that comprises upper and lower portions that do not rotate or
rotate at different rates of speed than the lifting blades of the
rotor assembly.
[0005] A flying toy figurine that includes a main body having an
upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, where the
upper portion and the lower portion do not rotate, or rotate at a
much slower rate of speed than the propellers of the propeller
system that provide vertical lift to the flying toy figurine is not
shown in the prior art known to the inventor, and would provide
more astonishment to the user and provide for more engaging play
than previous flying toy figurines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present flying toy figurine addresses the shortcomings
of the prior art.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect then, there is provided a
flying toy figurine comprising: a main body, the main body
comprising an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a middle
body portion, the middle body portion comprising a waist portion
and a hip portion; a center shaft located on a central axis of the
main body, a first end of the center shaft being fixed to the upper
body portion and a second, opposite end of the center shaft being
fixed to the lower body portion; a drive motor for driving a rotor
assembly, the rotor assembly including at least two main propeller
blades for providing aerodynamic lift to the flying toy figurine,
the rotor assembly located in the waist portion; a source of power
for running the drive motor; a control system for regulating the
operation of the drive motor; wherein the waist portion and the hip
portion are mounted for independent rotation about the center
shaft, said independent rotation of the waist portion and the hip
portion being independent of rotation of the center shaft; wherein
running the drive motor to drive the rotor assembly and waist
portion in a first rotational direction imparts aerodynamic lift
causing the flying toy figurine to fly and further imparts a
counter-rotational force to the hip portion causing the hip portion
to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first
rotational direction; and wherein the center shaft remains
independent of the rotation of the waist portion and the hip
portion.
[0008] In accordance with other aspects, the drive motor may be
located in the hip portion. The center shaft may extend through a
center tube for rotation therein, and the center tube may be fixed
to the hip portion. The main propeller blades may be hingably
connected to the rotor assembly and the rotor assembly may include
a pair of stabilizer bars extending from the waist portion for
rotation therewith. As a safety feature, the outer tips of the main
propeller blades may include protective wire loops. The hip portion
may include at least two secondary propeller blades connected to
and extending radially outward thereof to provide the accoutrements
of a skirt to the figurine and to slow the rotation of the hip
portion. The secondary propeller blades may be hingably connected
to the hip portion and may be weighted along bottom edges thereof.
The secondary propeller blades may be connected to the hip portion
at an angle relative to the central axis so as to encounter
downwash from the main propeller blades to provide further
rotational resistance. The control system may include a
transmitter/receiver combination to control and maintain the height
of the flying toy figurine above a surface or object by measuring
the strength of flight control signals reflected off of the surface
and adjusting the amount of power transmitted to the motor relative
to the strength of the reflected flight control signals. The
control system may also include a receiver for receiving wireless
control signals and a remote transmitter for transmitting the
wireless control signals to the receiver, and control circuitry for
turning the motor on and off and for controlling and maintaining
the height of the flying toy figurine above a surface in response
to the wireless control signals. The control system may include a
motor cut-off switch to cut power to the drive motor when electric
current to the drive motor increases above a predetermined
amount.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several
aspects of the flying toy figurine are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures,
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the flying toy
figurine shown in the operating position;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the flying toy figurine shown
in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3, is a partially assembled view showing some of the
internal drive components of one embodiment of the flying toy
figurine.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the flying toy
figurine.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a partially assembled view of the flying toy
figurine showing the skirt portion, the drive gears, the gear
plate, the top bearing, the center tube and the center shaft.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a partially assembled view of the flying toy
figurine showing the motor, the battery, the drive gears, the gear
plate and the top bearing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Various embodiments of the flying toy figurine will now be
discussed in detail/The following detailed description will proceed
with reference to a particular illustrated embodiment. However, the
embodiment shown on the drawings is presented only as an example of
the claimed subject matter, and should be considered not as
limiting the scope of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a front view of the flying toy figurine 1
including a main body 10. The main body 10 has an upper body
portion 12, a lower body portion 14, and a middle body portion 16.
The upper body portion 12 includes generally a head, arms and upper
torso of the figurine 1, and may be comprised of two or more
sections that fit together, such as a front upper body portion 12a
and a rear upper body portion 12b (see exploded view in FIG. 2).
Lower body portion 14 includes generally a lower part of the legs
of the figurine 1 and may be comprised of two or more sections that
fit together, such as a front lower body portion 14a and a rear
lower body portion 14b (see exploded view in FIG. 2). The middle
body portion 16 includes a waist portion 18 and a hip portion 20.
The hip portion 20 includes a skirt 22, a skirt collar 24 fixed to
the top of the skirt 22, and a skirt bottom 25 fixed to the bottom
of the skirt 22. Skirt collar 24 includes attachment pegs 27 that
fit into holes in the top of the skirt 22 for attaching the skirt
collar 24 to the skirt 22
[0018] Upper body portion 12 and lower body portion 14 are fixed
together on a center shaft 70 running longitudinally on a central
axis A of main body 10. Center shaft 70 is secured at one end to an
upper body fixer 72 and at the other end to a lower body fixer 74.
Upper body portion 12 is affixed to upper body fixer 72, while
lower body portion 14 is affixed to lower body fixer 74. Center
shaft 70 extends through a center tube 61 that runs through the
main body 10 centered on the central axis A. Center tube 61 is
fixed to hip portion 20 for rotation therewith about center shaft
70. Center shaft 70 is free to rotate within center tube 61. As
described below, waist portion 18 and hip portion 20 are mounted
for independent rotation about central axis A, such rotation also
being independent of the rotation of upper body portion 12 and
lower body portion 14, which are fixed together for synchronized
rotation,
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, waist portion 18 of middle body
portion 16 includes a rotor assembly 30, which provides aerodynamic
lift to the flying toy figurine 1. Rotor assembly 30 includes two
or more main propeller blades 32, extending from the waist portion
18. Main propeller blades 32 are attached to a main rotor pivot 62
by propeller fixers 64, and may be hinged, as shown, so that when
the propeller blades are not rotating they will fall to a somewhat
more vertical position, thus providing the accoutrements of a skirt
for the figurine.
[0020] Included in the rotor assembly 30, and configured for
synchronized rotation with main propeller blades 32, are stabilizer
bars 40 extending from the waist portion 18, each stabilizer bar
terminating in a bell-shaped stabilizer mass 42. The stabilizer
bars 40 are attached to a main rotor pivot 62 by a stabilizer fixer
66, and may also be hinged, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for the same
purpose as indicated for the main propeller blades 32. Waist
portion 18 is attached to the stabilizer fixer 66 by pins 19 on
either side of the waist portion.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, main propeller blades 32 may be
equipped with protective wire loops 33 surrounding outer tips 31 of
the main propeller blades. Wire loops 33 have a round
cross-section, are lightweight, and somewhat flexible. In the event
the main propeller blades 32 come in contact with delicate human
skin, wire loops 33 are designed to prevent the thin tip of the
propeller blade from touching the skin. The lightweight wire loops
33 have a negligible effect on performance of the main propeller
blades 32.
[0022] Hip portion 20 includes a set of two or more uniformly
spaced secondary propeller blades 34 attached to the skirt 22 and
the skirt collar 24 and extending radially outward thereof.
Secondary propeller blades 34, are not driven, but rather are
allowed to spin freely with the hip portion 20 in a direction
opposite to the direction of rotation of the waist portion 18 and
the main propeller blades 32 in response to rotational forces
produced by rotation of the main propeller blades 32. Secondary
propeller blades 34 may have a tear drop or petal shape as shown in
the figures, so as to increase their surface area and provide some
additional rotational resistance, thereby slowing their rotation
and increasing the lift produced by the main propeller blades 32.
Secondary propeller blades 34 may also be weighted on their lower
edges 35 to further increase rotational resistance and improve
lift. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the applicant has shown
four secondary propeller blades 34, however, it will be understood
by those skilled in the area, that fewer or a greater number of
secondary propeller blades 34 could be used. The secondary
propeller blades 34 may be hinged to the hip portion 20 as shown in
FIG. 1, so that when the secondary propeller blades are not
rotating they will fall to a folded, somewhat more vertical
position, thus providing the accoutrements of a skirt for the
figurine. The bottom edges 35 of lower propeller blades 34 may be
weighted to further assist the blades into the folded position and
to provide additional rotational resistance, as mentioned
above.
[0023] Contained internal of the skirt 22 portion of hip portion
20, and attached thereto, is a battery 50 for providing power to a
drive motor 52, for providing motive force to the rotor assembly
30. Both the battery 50 and drive motor 52 are electrically
connected to a circuit board 80, which is fixed to the skirt bottom
25. Circuit board 80 includes an on-off switch 82, having a switch
cover 84. Also included on circuit board 80 is a charging port 86
for connection to a charging unit for recharging battery 50.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the drive motor 52 includes
an output shaft 53 connected to a pinion gear 54. A main rotor
drive gear 58 includes a main rotor drive shaft 60. Pinion 54 is
drivingly coupled to the main drive gear 58 and the main rotor
drive shaft 60 through a compound transmission gear 56 mounted to a
post on the top of skirt 22. The main drive gear 58 sits for
rotation on top of a gear plate 75 located on top of a center skirt
tube 23 fixed to the top of skirt 22. Gear plate 75, preferably
made of metal, acts as a bearing to reduce friction between the
main gear 58 and the skirt 22.
[0025] A top bearing 63 is located on main drive gear 58 centered
on main rotor drive shaft 60. Skirt collar 24 is fixed to top
bearing 63 and is therefore free to rotate with top bearing 63,
independent of the main drive gear 58. Skirt collar 24 is fixed to
skirt 22. The main rotor drive shaft 60 extends through a hole 69
in the top of skirt collar 24 and drivingly connects to the main
rotor pivot 62, which is in turn connected to main propeller blades
32 by propeller fixers 64 that extend through slots in the waist
portion 18. Main rotor pivot 62 is further drivingly connected to
stabilizers 40 by the stabilizer fixer 66 that extends through
slots in the waist portion 18. A linkage 68 connects one side of
the stabilizer fixer 66 to one of the propeller fixers 64.
[0026] Running motor 52 causes rotation of pinion gear 54, which
engages transmission gear 56 and causes rotation of the main drive
gear 58 and rotor shaft 60. Engagement of the main rotor shaft 60
with the main rotor pivot 62 causes rotation of the main rotor
pivot 62. Engagement of the main rotor pivot 62 with the propeller
fixers 64 causes rotation of the main propeller blades 34, thereby
providing lift to the flying toy figurine 1. Engagement of the main
rotor pivot 62 with the stabilizer fixer 66 causes rotation of
stabilizers 40. Rotation of stabilizers 40 is thereby synchronized
with rotation of the main propeller blades 34.
[0027] Linkage 68 between lower propeller fixer 64 and stabilizer
fixer 66 is a common helicopter design that takes advantage of
gyroscopic forces and is intended to stabilize the lower propeller
blades 32 in windy conditions or if the flying toy figurine 1
encounters air flow from an air conditioner.
[0028] The freely rotating center shaft 70 extends longitudinally
through center tube 61 that runs through main body 10 centered on
the central axis A. Center tube 61 runs through and is fixed to the
skirt tube 23 and therefore rotates with hip portion 20. Center
tube 61 extends from the top of the main rotor pivot 62 to the
skirt bottom 25, running through, but not fixed to, the main rotor
pivot 62, the main drive gear 58, the gear plate 75, circuit board
80, and skirt bottom 25. Center shaft 70 therefore extends through
the center of middle body portion 16 and is independent of the
rotation of waist portion 18, including rotor assembly 30, and hip
portion 20. Upper body portion 12 and lower body portion 14 are
thus configured to remain stationary, independent of the rotation
of the waist portion 18, including the main propeller blades 32,
and independent of the rotation of the hip portion 20, including
the secondary propeller blades 34.
[0029] Secondary propellers 34 are connected to the skirt 22 and to
the skirt collar 24 of hip portion 20 for rotation therewith. When
the rotor assembly 30 is spinning, hip portion 20, including the
secondary propeller blades 34, spins on top bearing 63 in the
opposite direction of propeller blades 34, at a proportional rate,
in response to counter-rotational torque produced by driving the
rotor assembly 30. In the absence of any restraint, the rate of
rotation of the secondary propeller blades 34 would leave lithe of
the motor's torque available to provide lift. It is therefore
desirable to slow the rate of rotation of the secondary blades to
provide increased lift. This is accomplished by increasing drag
produced by the secondary propeller blades 34 by enlarging the size
of the secondary propeller blades or by adding weight. Drag may
also be increased by orienting the blades at an angle relative to
the central axis "A" as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this
configuration, downwash from the main propeller blades 32 exerts a
further anti-rotational force on secondary propellers 34.
[0030] To control and maintain the height of the flying toy
figurine 1 at a pre-determined distance above a surface or object,
a flight control system is provided. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4,
the flight control system includes circuitry on circuit board 80
which includes connections for communication with a transmitter 90
and a receiver 92 inserted though openings in the skirt bottom 25.
The transmitter may be an infrared transmitter, such as an LED
emitter, and the receiver may be an infrared receiver, however,
other transmitter/receiver pairs may be used. During flight, the
transmitter 90 sends a flight control signal directed vertically
downward and the receiver 92 and measures the strength of the
reflection of the flight control signal from the ground or any
surface or object that may be inserted between the ground and the
transmitter 90. Control circuits on circuit board 80 then adjust
the power transmitted to motor 52 to drive the rotor assembly 30
either faster or slower, depending on the strength of the reflected
flight control signal, to thereby maintain the predetermined height
of the flying toy figurine 1 above the surface or object. If the
strength of the reflected flight control signal received by the
receiver 92 is less than a pre-determined value, it means that the
flying toy figurine 1 is higher than the pre-determined distance
above the surface or object and power to motor 52 is reduced. If
the strength of the reflected flight control signal received by the
receiver 92 is greater than a pre-determined value, it means that
the flying toy figurine 1 is lower than the pre-determined distance
above the surface or object and power to motor 52 is increased.
[0031] In a further embodiment, circuit board 80 may be fitted with
a receiver to receive wireless control signals from a remote
transmitter, such as radio frequency signals or infrared signals.
The remote transmitter may be used to send and the receiver may be
used to receive wireless control signals for turning the power on
and off, and/or for controlling the amount of power sent to the
motor 52 to drive the rotor assembly 30 at different speeds to
thereby control the height of the flying toy figurine 1 above a
surface or object. The above-described wireless remote control
transmitter/receive combination may be used as an alternative to
the above-described flight control system to control and maintain
the height of the flying toy figurine 1 above a surface or
object.
[0032] Included on circuit board 80 for safety purposes is a cutoff
switch designed to cut power to the rotor assembly 30 when electric
current to the drive motor 52 increases above a predetermined
amount. If the main propeller blades encounter an obstacle such as
a wall, the floor, or a person's hand, the current being sent to
the motor will increase as the motor attempts to overcome the
obstacle. If the current increases beyond a pre-determined limit,
power to the motor 52 is cut and the rotor assembly 30 stops. This
is a safety feature design to prevent injury to the user.
[0033] To operate the flying toy figurine 1, a user charges the
battery 50 by plugging charging port 86 into a charging unit for a
period of time until the battery is fully charged. Switch 82 is
moved to the "on" position and the flying toy figurine 1 is
oriented in a substantially vertical position, as shown in FIG. 1.
At this point, motor 52 is activated, driving the rotor assembly
30, providing lift and causing the flying toy figurine 1 to fly.
Motor 52 may be activated by a wireless control signal sent by a
remote transmitter, or the motor may turn on with movement of the
switch 82 to the "on" position.
[0034] Rotor assembly 30, including main propeller blades 32, is
driven by motor 52 in one rotational direction. Counter-rotational
torque produced by driving the main propeller blades 32 causes hip
portion 22, including the secondary propeller blades 34 to spin on
top bearing 63 in the opposite rotational direction. Since center
shaft 70 runs freely through center tube 61 and is not attached to
either of the waist portion 18, the rotor assembly 30, or the hip
portion 20, upper body portion 12 and lower body portion 14 will
remain stationary. In reality, the center shaft 70 may turn slowly
in one direction or the other, depending upon slight differences in
rotational friction between the counter-rotating components that
come in frictional contact with center shaft 70. These differences
are due to the speed of rotation of the counter-rotating
components, surface finish, lubrication and size tolerances. For
example, as the main pivot 62 begins to rotate, it pushes up
slightly and makes contact with the base of the upper body fixer 72
imparting some rotational force to the center shaft 70 in the
direction of rotation of the main propeller blades 32. At the same
time center tube 61, which is fixed to skirt tube 23, begins to
rotate with the hip portion 20 in the opposite direction due to the
counter-rotational torque produce by driving the main propeller
blades 32. Rotational frictional produced by contact between center
tube 61 and center shaft 70, will tend to cause center shaft 70 to
rotate in a direction opposite the direction of the rotation of
main propeller blades 32. At times these two counter-rotational
forces will balance, and upper body portion 12 and lower body
portion 14 will remain stationary relative to the middle body
portion 16. At other times, one of the counter-rotational forces
may be greater than the other, and the upper and lower body
portions 12, 14 will rotate slowly in one direction or the other.
At times, during rapid ascending or descending of the flying toy
figurine 1, the direction of rotation may change due to changes in
the counter-rotational forces. At all times, however, center shaft
70 remains independent of the rotation of waist portion 18 and the
hip portion 20, and the rate of rotation of the upper and lower
body portions 12, 14 will be a small fraction of the rate of
rotation of the main propeller blades 32 and the secondary
propeller blades 34. The stationary appearance, or slow rate of
rotation of the upper and lower body portions 12, 14, relative to
the rapidly spinning main and secondary propeller blades 32, 34,
gives the flying toy figurine 1 a unique appearance that provides a
further sense of enjoyment and amazement to the user.
[0035] To control and maintain the height of the flying toy
figurine 1 at a pre-determined distance above a surface or object,
transmitter 90 sends a flight control signal directed vertically
downward and the receiver 92 measures the strength of the
reflection of that signal from the ground or any surface or object
that may be inserted between the ground and the transmitter 90.
Control circuits on circuit board 80 then adjust the power
transmitted to motor 52 to drive the rotor assembly 30 either
faster or slower, depending on the strength of the reflected
signal, to thereby maintain the predetermined height of the flying
toy figurine 1 above the surface or object. If the strength of the
reflected signal received by the receiver 92 is less than a
pre-determined value, it means that the flying toy figurine 1 is
higher than the pre-determined distance above the surface or object
and power to motor 52 is reduced. If the strength of the reflected
signal received by the receiver 92 is greater than a pre-determined
value, it means that the flying toy figurine 1 is lower than the
pre-determined distance above the surface or object and power to
motor 52 is increased.
[0036] The previous detailed description is provided to enable any
person skilled in the art to make or use the present flying toy
figurine. Various modifications to those embodiments will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the scope of the periodontal probe as
defined by the appended claims. Thus, the present flying toy
figurine is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown
herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the
appended claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular,
such as by use of the article "a" or an" is not intended to mean
"one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one
or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements
of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that
are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in
the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the
claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be
dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims.
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